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Scuttlebutt Updates
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Archived NewslettersSCUTTLEBUTT 1346 - June 9, 2003Powered by SAIC (www.saic.com), an employee-owned company. Scuttlebutt is adigest of major yacht racing news, commentary, opinions, features and dock talk . . . with a North American focus. Corrections, contributions, press releases, constructive criticism and contrasting viewpoints are always welcome, but save your bashing and personal attacks for elsewhere. PLAY FOR PAY (Gary Jobson's column in the June issue of Sailing World truly merits attention. Here are two brief excerpts.) A growing culture of demanding pay and expecting every expense to be covered has taken root in some areas of racing. It's pushing many owners away from big-boat sailing: While there are larger economic factors, it's one reason that very few big boats are being built or even campaigned. If owners and crew agree on a healthier formula of who should pay for what, this could be different. * In a recent interview with Olin Stephens, I asked him, based on his experience with J-boats, 12-Meters, and modern America's Cup boats, which crews were the best? His response was: "The 12-Meter crews!" Why? I asked. "Because they sailed for passion. Their priority was winning." I pressed further. What about today's professional Cup sailor? "All they think about is money," Stephens said. Should sailing be about money or having fun? For nearly everyone, the answer is clear, and in my view it would be more fun for owners if crews shared some of the cost. Sailing has long been called a rich man's sport. In fact, there's usually only one rich guy and then there's everyone else sailing on his boat. Many owners write endless checks because they believe it's the only way to recruit a crew. Wrong. There are always people willing to race. Given a few regattas, the skill level of the enthusiastic amateur sailor will often match that of the more demanding semi-professional, and the tone on the boat will almost always be better. - Gary Jobson, Sailing World, full story: http://www.sailingworld.com/sw_article.php?articleID=1854 SIR PETER BLAKE A Hauraki Gulf island is a better way to honour Sir Peter Blake than a $10 million glass-case memorial, says former world champion sailor Tony Bouzaid. Mr Bouzaid, two-time world titleholder in the half-tonne yacht class and the man who gave Sir Peter his first job out of university, said Sir Peter deserved a "living memorial" "It's a shame. I knew Peter well and I just know that with everything he did and was doing for the environment, he would have wanted a living legacy," the 61-year-old Great Barrier Island resident said. Support has continued to mount for the Hauraki Gulf's Kaikoura Island to be bought as a tribute to Sir Peter's environmental work rather than the planned glass-case exhibit. The exhibit project is being led by Te Papa, which was given America's Cup-winner NZL32. The museum is raising $5 million to house the yacht next to the Maritime Museum on Auckland's waterfront. - Anne Beston, NZ Herald, full story: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/ GET A GRIP You've got to have the right equipment if you're going to win the game. Harken's high performance deck shoes are engineered to give you the edge. Maximum grip soles make you sure-footed on and off the boat. Seven styles from classic to sport. http://www.harken.com/scuttlebutt/sc-shoes.php MORE SIR PETER Supporters of a waterfront memorial to Sir Peter Blake are staunchly defending the project, saying supporters of buying an island instead had no interest in the world-famous sailor. Auckland City Councillor Scott Milne said Aucklanders would still be interested in Sir Peter's life even if New Zealand never again won the America's Cup. Mr Milne said the danger that Sir Peter's yachting exploits might not be a big drawcard in 25 years' time was a "valid question" that had been addressed "from day one". "I think there's no doubt it's a challenge because he's dead," Mr Milne said. "But we think there's a far better chance with this than a bronze statue or a stretch of land." Mr Milne said the exhibit could be "refreshed" so it did not become "old and stale". The Herald has been swamped by reader support for an idea to buy the Hauraki Gulf's Kaikoura Island for $10 million. Mr Milne said such a tribute had "merit" but was not accessible to the vast majority of city residents. "This is not just a boat in a box, this is Auckland City's tribute to one of the great Aucklanders," he said. - Anne Beston, NZ Herald, full story: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/ DINGHY SAILING (In a story on the Daily Sail website, Vanguard Sailboats Chairman Steve Clark gives a wide reaching perspective on the dinghy world. Here's a brief excerpt.) Because of the pre-dominance of Portsmouth Yardstick-style racing in England," says Clark. "The possibilities for new boats are very different from what they are in the States. In the small cruising boat world we have very active PHRF racing, which is what you see on Narraggansett Bay in the summer time. But you don't see it in dinghies. It is not something that happens particularly here." Because dinghy sailing happens less it also makes it hard to introduce new designs. "In England, they structure the economics of new boats to be paid off in 100 units and you can sell 100 boats at the Boat Show just because it is new and different and one guy in 100 clubs is going to buy one and still think he achieved the full value. Whereas in the States, you have the feeling that if you don't have 100 boats on the start line it isn't a real class. The guy who owns the only XXX in the club feels pretty lonely. So the sport consolidates around the largest classes." - The Daily Sail http://thedailysail.com/ism/articles.nsf/1dee886f61907ed480256c74004a15df/2ff601bb778889bb80256d3b00605896?OpenDocument SWEDISH MATCH TOUR Langenargen, Germany - Jochen Schumann of America's Cup-holder Alinghi found the perfect way to celebrate his 49th birthday by advancing into the semifinals of the Swedish Match Tour's Match Race Germany at the top of the leaderboard. It was a long, hot windless day on the shores of Lake Constance as the sailors began to curse the race committee for holding them until late evening, in the hope of catching sufficient breeze to complete the quarterfinals. A surprise birthday party for Schumann broke up the boredom of the afternoon, and not long after, the race officer's persistence was rewarded with a Force 2 westerly breeze. - Shawn McBride LEADERBOARD 1. Jochen Schumann (Alinghi Team) 6-1 2. Jesper Radich (DEN/Team Radich) 5-2 3. Ed Baird (USA/Team Musto) 5-2 4. Luc Pillot (FRA/Team Pillot) 5-2 5. Mikael Lindquist (SWE) 3-4 6. Markus Wieser (GER) 2-5 7. Henrik Jensen (DEN) 2-5 8. Jes Gram Hansen (DEN/Team Victory Lane) 0-7 The top four boats advance to the semifinals: http://www.swedishmatchtour.com/ FOR SALE Pegasus 77, the ultimate Turbo Sled, winner of Transpac 2001, is for sale. Launched in 2001, she is the very best in every aspect. Designed by Reichel-Pugh as the next generation Turbo Sled, Pegasus 77 will be available August 2003 right after Transpac. Details and photographs are at http://www.pegasus.com/pegasus77 INTER-COLLEGIATE TEAM RACING NAs Crescent Sail YC - Harvard University (Cambridge, Mass.) defended their Inter-Collegiate Sailing Association American Team Race title. Wind on the final day of racing was spotty and ultimately prevented all scheduled races from being completed. By virtue of their 5 wins and 2 loss record in the races that counted, Harvard won their second Team Racing Championship in school history. Harvard won last year's event in Hawaii with an undefeated record, but this year's contest was far closer. Coach Mike O'Connor (Foxboro, Mass.) said that the "wind was so light the whole time that it was all about boathandling" and felt that "in one-on-one situations, our guys had a slight edge." Harvard's skippers were seniors Clay Bischoff (Miami, Fla.) and Dan Litchfield (Wayland, Mass.), junior Cardwell Potts (New Orleans, La.), and freshman Vincent Porter (Geneva, Wis.). The Crimson's crews were seniors Lema Kikuchi (Bethesda, Md.) and Michelle Yu (Mountain View, Calif.), sophomore David Darst (Greenwich, Ct.) and freshman Ruth Schlitz (Falmouth, Mass.). Bischoff, Potts and Yu are returning All-Americans. - Derek Webster Championship Round: 1. Harvard (5 wins - 2 losses) 2. St. Mary's (4-3) 3. University of Southern California (4-3) 4. Hobart / William Smith (4-3) 5. Tufts (3-4) 6. Dartmouth (3-4) 7. Georgetown (3-4) 8. U/Hawaii (2-5) Event website: http://www.collegesailing.org/2003 NEWS BRIEFS * The Challenge Series has begun operations at the new America's Cup Class Yachting Center on Pier One at Treasure Island in the heart of San Francisco Bay. The compound will provide a base for the boats that will be racing in an annual regatta series. Boats currently stored at the new compound include Stars and Stripes, New Zealand Challenge, Il Moro di Venezia, NZL-20, Le Defi Areva, and K-Challenge. Under the agreement with the Treasure Island Development Authority, The Challenge Series will conduct regular tours of the compound to disadvantaged youth, with an incentive program in place for selected kids to sail aboard an America's Cup yacht. http://www.challenge-series.com * The contrary New England spring didn't deter yachts from competing in the New York Yacht Club's Annual Regatta presented by Rolex. Nearly 100 yachts from New York, New England, San Francisco and Europe crossed the starting line for this the 149th edition of this regatta, now a two-day three-race event. On Saturday in a light southerly wind complete with rain, one race was sailed. On Sunday, in a light northeasterly breeze, but with a suggestion of sun, two races were completed. Complete results and Daniel Forster and Dan Nerney photos can be found at: www.nyyc.org * With five races completed in the Finn Europeans in Marstrand, Ben Ainslie (GBR) leads the 72 boat fleet by two points from Mateusz Kusznierewicz. (POL). The USA's Mo Hart is presently in seventh place. - http://www.gkss.se/ FOUR OUT OF TEN PREFERRED MUSTO What did four out of the ten boats in the Louis Vuitton Cup and the America's Cup have in common? They all chose Musto Performance Clothing in their plight to win sailing's most prestigious trophy. Why did they choose Musto? Because the combination of lightweight and stretch fabrics with exceptional breathability and durability put Musto at the front of the fleet. And unlike most AC technology, the Hula for example, it's available to you, today, at your nearest Musto stockist (you don't have to have an IACC boat to qualify!). http://www.musto.co.uk BLURIMINI WORLD MATCH Karol Jablonski from Poland scored a convincing 3-0 sweep over Englishman Ian Williams to win the Blurimini Match Race in Rimini, Italy. In the Petite Finals, Australian James Spithill was on the short end of a 2-1 series which gave third place in the series to Paolo Cian from Italy. The regatta was sailed in the new Blue Sail 24 in light wind of 6-8 knots. Final standings: 1. Karol Jablonski (POL) 2. Ian Williams (GBR) 3. Paolo Cian (ITA) 4. James Spithill (AUS) 5. Mathieu Richard (FRA) 6. Lars Nordbjaerg (DEN) 7. Kelvin Harrap (NZL) 8. Sebastien Col (FRA) 9. Andy Green (GBR) 10. Bjorn Hansen (SWE) STERN SCOOP The widely circulated rumor that John Kostecki has joined Team New Zealand is apparently true. LETTERS TO THE CURMUDGEON (editor@sailingscuttlebutt.com) (Letters selected for publication must include the writer's name and may be edited for clarity or space - 250 words max. This is not a chat room or a bulletin board - you only get one letter per subject, so give it your best shot and don't whine if others disagree.) * From Donal McClement, Cork, Ireland: I feel I have to comment on the letter from Hugh Wainman-Wood regarding the IRC Rule (SB 1345) as it is inaccurate and misleading. A 30 foot boat is less than 9 meters so the cost is $ 100 not $ 170 as he suggested. The need to weigh a boat is only when you want an endorsed Certificate which is a requirement for most major Regattas but not for Club and Local racing. The Sports Boat Rule is used when different types of Sportsboats are racing against each other in an effort to use a system that has been designed specifically for this type of craft. There is nothing to stop Sportsboats from getting an IRC Certificate. Finally as a user of IRC (previously Channel Handicap) since its inception in the middle '80's for both Club and International Events like Ford Cork Week I can assure everyone that it is a first class system that has been well and truly tried and tested. There is no doubt that it is the simplest and best system available in the World today for all types of handicap racing from the local Club scene to Major Regattas. Try it and you will be pleasantly surprised. * From James Dadd, Chief Measurer, RORC Rating Office: To clarify on several of the comments Hugh made. The costs of IRC certificates are kept as low as possible, still ensuring that the RORC Rating Office and our equivalent at UNCL in Paris can maintain a professional full time staff to provide support to sailors and race organisers around the World. We are not a profit-making organisation. As Hugh points out, we also, in partnership with the RYA, administer the SportsBoat Rule (SBR), this is however a separate entity. Melges 24s and other sportsboats can and do hold IRC certificates for competing in the IRC fleet. As far as the 'soft' information required for IRC is concerned, so as to keep the application form simple and ensure that new developments are not overlooked, we do not provide a tick box for every eventuality, rather we ask you to provide the actual information, this avoids features falling between the cracks. Each feature is then technically assessed and included in the rating calculation using the same formulae for all. As with most rating rules and many restricted class rules, there is the option of appeal to the rule authority, as well as the option for the rule authority to amend rules when necessary. I am pleased to say that, to my knowledge, neither has resulted in any changes, other than annual review, in IRC, nor its predecessor CHS, for as long as I have been in the Rating Office. Put simply, there are no subjective elements to the IRC rating calculation. * From Matthew Sessions: Transporting CO2 cartridges? Dinghy sailors know the best solution - wear your Type III PFD on the plane! No hassles in the security line and a great way to lead by example during the safety demonstration. * From Tom Richardson: If you have the time, mail your inflatable PFD to yourself c/o the host yacht club or at wherever you are staying. Although it costs more than a rearming kit, it'll save you the time and hassle of having to deal with the TSA and/or going to West Marine at your destination. * From Chick Pyle (Re. commercial flights with PFD's containing CO2 cartridges): Thank you Curmudgeon and U.S. Sailing for posting the regs on the website. I had already printed them and put a copy in the bag that contained the PFD and CO2, and had another copy with my tickets. When confronted by TSA screeners, having shown them the regs, it actually saved the day. Given the level of education and training of most TSA screeners I encourage all sailors who travel by commercial flight to do the same. http://www.ussailing.org/news/2003/PFDAirlines.pdf Curmudgeon's Comment: This seems like a good place to end this thread. It's over! * From Peter O. Allen, Sr., If not for bad race management, there would be fewer of us who would be motivated to involve ourselves in helping to run races. I agree with the idea that if you rag on the race committee, your name should move to the top of the list of volunteers who will be named to run the next race. And if you do complain while on the course, you shouldn't wonder how they called you OCS when you were sure you were in your traditional position, 30 seconds behind the line at the starting signal. If you have a complaint with the race management of the day, please take it to the club's race committee chair - - after the race (like they didn't know that the first weather leg was a fetch). Bitching on the water may only compound the confusion on the signal boat. * From Nancy Noyes: Having been on the course as a racer (crew) for many years, and also having been involved in race management/race committee work for nearly as long, I often fondly recall the comment of PRO Steve Podlich in a J/24 East Coast regatta probably at least a decade ago. Although nothing was wrong at the time (Steve gives pretty good RC), he told me that one of the most valuable things he had ever heard from his father-in-law (Capt. John Bonds, USN, Ret.) was, "The only acceptable thing to say to a volunteer is something to the effect of, 'Thank you very much for your time and service.'" This particular maxim has stood me in good stead for a very long time, on and off the water. Right on, Steve! Right on John! Long live volunteer Race Committees (and shame on those of you who think it's up to somebody else to do the work for you all the time - you'd be surprised how much better a racer you will become - how much you will learn - if you put in a few days on the committee!). * From Peter Huston:There are only two words a racing sailor can say to a member of a volunteer Race Committee - Thank You. Curmudgeon's Comment: We're going to let Peter have the final words on this one - this thread is now officially dead. (With two volatile threads terminated, it should be interesting to see what the readers will complain about tomorrow?) CURMUDGEON'S DEFINITIONS Adult - A person who has stopped growing at both ends and is now growing in the middle. |
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